Door closer and check



w. 1. B-RYUN.

DOOR CLOSER AND CHECK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20l 1920. 1,421,666, Patented July 4, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.A

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Anonflfr vy. V LVBRYOM 'DOOR CLAOSER AND CHECK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20, 1920.

1,42 1,666. Patented July 4, 1922.'.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' ff '@1 l@ WILLIAM 'J'. BRYON, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

DOOR CLOSER AND CHECK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1922.

Application med August 2o, 1920. serial No. 4 e4,so1.

To all whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. BnYoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door Closers and Checks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has reference to door closers and checks, and has relation more particularly to that class employing -a fluid body, such as air or a non-freezing liquid or the like, as a checkingmedlium, and having during its operative movements a pluralitfy of cushions for checking the movements o the door.

Among the objects of the invention are to improve and simplify door closers and checks of the -above class, and more particularly those having connection with the door and lintel or overhead casing of the door frame, in a manner to permit easy and convenient adjustment of the final or latching cushion in devices of this character having two or more cushions, the first of which is operative while the door is swinging from the maximum extent of its opening at a' point adj acent to the time of nal closing and latching of the door andI the second of which is a short positive cushion and operative thereafter immediately before or ust prior to the latching point, so the movement of the door with greater resistalice than during the checking or cushioning action so as to insure steady movement of the door in latching, which latter is however insured without undue noise and jar, as against frequent inoperation of the usual form of door check and closer having but a single cushion; to provide a by-pass between the opposite sides of the checking piston, with which said piston cooperates as a valve to control the checking operation and second cushion, while the escape of air through the by-pass may be regulated by a physical-working valve or device; and further to providefor adjustment of the stroke..

of the vpist-on and second cushion by -a novel regulation of the adjustable-link connection of the lever arm of the device with the door lintel or casing part of lthe door overhead York, State of as to momentarily check or otherwise, whereby dlsconnection of the link aforesaid from or with respect to the lever-arm proper will be obviated'.`

With these objects and others in view, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention comprises the various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully described hereinafter and set forth with particularity in the claims appended hereto.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which;

Figure l is a fragmentary front elev-ation of a door and door casing or frame, equipped with the improved door check and closer.

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of one form Figure 3 is a similar of the invention.

Figure 4 is a'fdletached elevationaliview of the piston employed in the form of the invention shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. I vFigure is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3, but disclosing another form 'of the invention.

Figure 6 is a similar view of a still further form of the invention.

Figure -7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of another modification or form of the invention, and showing the construction of a closing mean of the invention. view of another form Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the adjustable link of the lever-arm, which connects with the overhead casing, and showing one form of device for detachably connecting the threaded section of the link with the swivel.

Figure 9 is a partial` vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a plan view of another form of connection, and

Figure 11 is a partial sectional view, taken vertically and partly in elevation, of another form of connection.

In the drawings, the improved device is i illustrated as comprising a main casing 12 including an upper or vertical portion 13 forming a chamber to house the closing spring 14, while 15 desi horizontal portion formlng a chamber for enclosing the checking mechanism, including gnates the vlower or a fluid body, such as a liquidor air, to control the closing of a door, and a piston 16. Extending from the upper side of the vertical portion 13 of the casing down lnto the Huid chamber is a shaft or spindle 17, having at its lower end a crank arm 18 connecting with the piston through the medium of a link 19, while the spindle 17 operates through apacking sleeve 20 mounted in a dlvidlng wall 21 which separates the upper and lower chambers and renders the latter air tight. The spring 14 is connected at one end to the sleeve of the ratchet wheel 22 and at its other end to the casing, while connected to the spindle 17 is a lever-arm 23, which is of improved construction as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. The casing 12 is designed for attachment to the door 24, and the arm to the overhead door casing 25, whereby when the door is opened the spring will be put under tension and when the door is released the said spring will by its reaction -operate to close the door, this closing 'action being controlled by the cooperation of the fluid, such `as a non-freezing liquid, in the chamber 15 ywith the piston 16, which latter acts as a valve and is also adapted to be adjusted by means of the lever-arm for regulating t-he time of `duration of the second or positive cushion and the time at which said cushion is brought into action adjacent to the latching point, so as "to afford the proper checking resistance to insure the door moving to its latching-point readily and positively, but without undue force, and the noise and jar usually caused -by devices of the type having' a single cushion and physical working valves.

'In the construction of the device as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the casting forming the `casing 12 is closed at its upper end by a cover 26 secured to the upper end of the vertical portion, while the free end of the horizontal portion or chamber 15 is closed by an airtight cap 27 as shown in Figure 1, or a plug 28 as shown in Figure 2, both of which vare preferably in threaded connection with the casing. The cap 27 has engagement with the exterior of the casing, whilethe plug 28 has interior engagement'therewith for adjustment of the size or length of the iston chamber in coopera-tion with the adjustment of the stroke of the piston and the opera-tion of the second or positive cushion, as will be more fully explained. Provided on or formed with the-casing either at the top of the horizontal portion as shown in Figure 1, or at one side thereof as shown in Figure 2,-is a by-pass 29, the same having free communication with the chamber -15 at its inner end' or end' of the chamber containing the crank arm 18, while its outer end has communication with the outer. end of the chamber through a restricted portion 30, said by-pass or passageway communicating with the chamber at opposite sides of the lpiston 16. Adjustable through or operating in a packing gland 31 at the free end of the chamber 15, is a valve 32 of the physical working type, the same being threaded through the gland and having a beveled inner end cooperating with a restricted portion of the by-pass to regulate the volumeof air displacement lthrough the by-pass when the piston is on its compression stroke and operating to check the movement of the door when swinging to a closed position, and independent of the operation ofthe second or positive cushion. The first or primary cushion is effective until the piston 16 passes over the duct 33 leading at right angles from the by-pass to the interior of t-he chamber 15 at' a slightly spaced distance from the closing means for the adjacent end of the casing, and the adjustment of the valve 32 will render regulatable the swinging of the door to a point in close proximity or adjacent to the latching point thereof, while the piston is provided with one or more valved passageways 34 to avoid a drag on the door the same as when initially opened, by permitting the free escape of the fluid thereby through the crank end of the chamber 15 to the horizontal or piston containing portion thereof at the opposite side of the piston.

The second or positive cushion above referred to, is regulated through the medium of the lever-arm and spindle, and more particularly the adjustable link connection of the lever-arm with the door casing whereby disconnection of the link from the lever-arm is rendered unnecessary, such adjustment means being external means for the purpose, so that the last part of the cushion, or as it may be termed, the positive cushion where two or more cushionsare provided, may be adjusted so that the time of effective action of the positive cushion on lthe closing of the door after passing a point in close proximity to the latching point can be minutely regulated in a positive manner and to be permanent for each adjustment until reset or changed by cutting off or lengthening the stroke of the piston, in association with the adjustment of the cap 27 or plug 28 and'thus the regulationof the compression space in the piston chamber or cylinder portion 15 of the casing 12 ofthe device. For this purpose, the lever arm 23 which is connected with the spindle 17 permanently or detachably, has pivotally connected to the freeI end thereof, an adjustable link 35 consisting of` a split portion 36 having its end opposite that connected to the lever-arm, in the form of an internally threaded sleeve 37 Athrough which the adjacent externally threaded end ofv a portion 38 is adjustable. This latter portionusually has swiveled connection with :memesA l the door casing or lintel overhead and it is usual to disconnect the lever-arm from the link,'and while physically holding the leverarm against the tension of the closing spring, the link is adjusted, thus necessitating a very arduous task and the use of numerous keys and tools to accomplish the disconnection of the parts and the adjustment lrequired.

The present improvement provides improved means for detachably connecting said part 38 to a swivel mounting so as to permit it to be readily and conveniently disconnected and adjusted -asby turningwith respectl to the portion or section 36 of the adjustable link 35, Without the use of keysl or other special. tools and appliances. One form of such means is shown in Figures- 8 and 9, in which a swivel mounting or bracket 39 is provided for attachment to the overhead casingor corresponding stationary part' as shown in Fi re 1, andsaid bracket is slotted longitudinally of the apertured attaching plate thereof to form spaced resilient upper and lower jaws 40 and 41 having opposed circular depressions 42 in their inner faces. These depressions form a socket for the spherical end 43 of the section 38, which is adapted to have universal movement with respect to the mounting, in the manner of a universal joint, and thus replaces the double pivotal connection generally employed at this point in the old style door closers and checks, wherein the lever-arm were required to be disconnected in order to vary the length of the link and the relative locations of the parts of the device, and in which but a single cushion was provided for with the4 result that the closingof the door was not under control and therefore closed with undue force and jar, or utterly failed in the perfomance of its intended functions. A clamping screw 44 engages through and connects the opposed jaws 4() and 41 so as to movably retain the ball end 43. from displacement, while permitting the section 38 to be turned when desired within the sleeve 37 .and independently of the section 36 to lengthen or shorten the link 35, and therebyI turn the lever-arm 23. and spindle 17 in such a manner as to regulate the stroke of the piston. By this means the time of effective action of the positive cushion may be regulated, that is the second cushion `which takes effect `after the piston has moved past and closed the duct 33, due to the compression f of the iluid body between the piston and the adjacent end of the casing. When the stroke of the piston is shortened-by adjusting the spindle as above described through the medlumofthe arm, so as to cut olf a part of the effective movement Athereof after the initial or primary cushion has taken eect during the swinging of the door from an open position to a point in close proximity to the latching position, the positivev cushion and the movement 'of the door through the same is shortened due to the relative abrupt limitingl of the movement of the piston'. A lengthening of the positive cushion however, permits the piston to push through the positiveA cushion or a greater distance and the fluid will escape slowly between the interfitted parts of the cylinder, around the outer wall ofthe piston, that is, between the piston and the wall of the cylinder, so as to permit the iston to move its full stroke under the action of the closing spring and the door caused to close and latch without undue force, noise or jar, but `with positive action. lMeans is provided for normally prevent2 lng the portion or section 38 from turning in the bracket and independently of .the section 36 as above described, consisting of .a latch or linger 45 pivoted to the bracket, preferably to the upper jaw thereof and adapted lto engage by gravity under its weight, a slot46 in the adjacent portion. of the section` 38. It may also be stated that the valve 32 may if desired, be entirely omitted, or in the other forms to be'hereinafter described, in which instance the passageway or bypass is made or cast, or otherwisesuitably formed or drilled, in order that the exact or very minute quantity of fluid, such as the non-freezing liquid consisting of an oil such as glycerine and alcohol, may pass from one side of the piston chamber or cylinder interior to the other side, thus regulating or determining the speed and resistance oHered in the'action of the initial closing of the door when the initial or primary cushion is in play. In this way, the primary or initial cushion will be fixed and a predetermined time will be required to allow the door to move to a closing position prior to reaching the latching position or before the positive cushion is `brought into play, by the passing of the piston automatically over the bypass or passage so as vto cut off or` close or cape, which is very slight, must be between the piston or plunger and cylinder wall, the liquid or fluid is packed up in the cylinder and the movement or swing of thedoor effectively. checked at or near the latching position, as shall be desired and as shall be set when the checkis made, depending upon the conditions of wind and type of door. The

finger or latch 45 is secured in any suitable manner, as for vertically pivoting movement in a bifurcated plate 47 or between spaced ears thereof as shown, and as illustrated, the plate being secured to the upper jaw by a screw 48, or otherwise.

'Another removable connection is' shown in Figure 10 of the drawings, in which the section 38 is provided with a' longitudinal bore or seat 49 receiving a helical spring 50 therein. whilel slidably mounted upon the said section is a knurled latch or ring 51 carrying a pin 52 which extends through the seat or slot 49 and is acted on by the spring to force a pair of projections 53 of the ring between the jaws 'of the bracket. Thering being held from turning on the section. of the link, although permitted to translate thereon, such engagement of the ring with the bracket will hold the section from turnning normally but the ring may be slid back free of the bracket to permit turning of the section and adjustment of the length of the link, as above described.

In Figure 11 of the drawings, ,the upper and lower jaws 40 and 41 are provided with vertically registering apertures 54E-and the ball with a diametrical opening 55 to be placed in registry therewith and a pin 56 engaged therethrough removably to hold the A section from rotation 0r turning in adjusting the length of thelink, or to permit such for the purposes heretoforeexplained.

In Figures 8 and 4 of the drawings, a modied construction of door check and closer is shown, in which the piston 57 has an opening 58 through its lateral portion and tapering toward its inner end, for coaction with a bypass 59 communicating at both ends with the chamber but terminating midway of the Vlength of the cylindrical portion of the casing at its inner end, while the other end thereof also communicates with the vhorizontal chamber or cylindrical portion of the casing and is adjustable in size by means of a similar valve 60. The valve engages through a packing sleeve or gland 61 and is provided witha similar beveled end cooperating with the bypass or passage at right angles to the casing part 15 and bypass. The dotted line position indicates the location of the piston and connected parts at the completion of the stroke of the piston, and the plug or closure for the outer end of the horizontal portion of the casing may be provided with a wrench head or projection ,62, for the application of a tool for turning the same. Of course, the valve may be omitted in this form of the invention, and owing to the tapered formation of the Opening 58, the primary cushion will be graduated, that is, willbe gradually made stronger or caused to ofer greater resistanceV until the positive cushion is brought into play after the outer end of the bypass 59 is closed by the piston. It will also be seen that when the door is opened from 90 degrees to 180 degrees and allowed to close under the action of the check spring or spring hinges, the

piston will, before it passes over the innerend of the bypass 59, produce a short ypositive cushion, since the escape .of the fluid or liquid past the piston will be prevented near the latching point of the door, owing to the bypass or other means of escape, or for establishing communication between the cylinder or chamber at opposite sides of the piston lbeing positivelyor totally cut-off. This operation is automatic, and as the piston moves forwardly further, the port or opening 58 will register with the inner end of the bypass 59, thus producing a primary graduating cushion until the piston closes the outer or forward end of the bypass 59, when the short positive cushion above referred to, will beproduced and rendered effective to check the closing of the door or hinged part controlled by the device adjacent to or near the latching point of the door, so as to prevent slammlng of the door when the positive cushion is in play and no release. The stroke of the piston will depend upon the angle or arc turned bythe spindle, which may be adjusted through the medium of the arm, and thus the degree at which the door is opened, allowing for lost motion, whether the door is opened at or to 180, 170, 1500, or 90, or at any angle between 180o and 90. Whether controlled by the valve 60 or not, the escape vof the fluid or liquid through the port and bypass 59 will be properly set or regulated, to move from in front of the piston to the rear of the piston and chamber or cylinder when the opening 58 is alined with the inner end of ythe bypass 59 as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. As the piston proceeds further, after the duration of the second positive cushion of the plurality of automatically formed cushions, at or near the endI of the stroke, a release will be produced by the causes the door to close with sudden quick force at the latching point, if so set and desired, it being understood that the last positive cushion is very short in order to be of a practical operating length, and thus the movement ofthe piston very little in order to produce a positivegcushionhaving the proper and suficient density or strengthof resistance to resist the pressure of the spring and check or retard the door at the closing or latching. Only a very slight escape or opening is necessary during the closing action, and especially at or near the end of the stroke of the piston, in order to produce the release wherebythe piston would be caused to move quickly inits forward movement, as has been found in practice.

In Figure 5 of the drawings, a bypass 63 similar to the bypass 29 is provided, the

same communicating with the end of the I and the bypass being controlled by similarly constructed this end is closed valvev 65. The cylinder at and the other endis closed by a plug 66, which can be removed for gaining access to the interior, as for instance for filling the sam'e with a non-freezing liquid. The portion 64 of the bypass i's produced by anextension cast with the cylinder or casing, and terminates in an enlar ement or seat 67 of tapered formation an with which coacts an extension 68 of the iston, in, effectforming an auxiliary cylins' er and piston or valve, which through the medium of a tapered recess 69in the extension, cooperates to gradually cut olf the escape or passage of the fluid from one end of the cylinder to the' otherend and on the opposite side of the piston during theopen'- ing and closing of the door.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, the piston is shown provided with an axial opening orI passage 70 in its head and engageable through a cap 71 closing the end of the cylinderis a yalve 72 which cooperates with and operates through the piston opening. The valve is provided with a tapered recess or groove 73 which as the piston moves outward serves to gradually close the passage 70 and formthe positive cushion after the termination of the primary cushion. This may be regulated by adjusting the valve in the cap so as to shift the same longitudinally by turning the same in one direction or the other, it being understood that in this construction as well as that illustrated in-Figure 5 of the drawings, the tapered recess forms a bypass and permits the escape of the fluid from in front of the piston to the rear thereof during the outward stroke of the latter while the door isbeing closed and the' primary and positive cushions are successively brought into action. Thedifl'erence is that in the construction illustrated in Figure 5, said recess is in the form of an auxiliary bypass, while in the form or construction illustrated in Figure 6, the recess is the main bypass, alone establishing communication with the chamber portions on opposite sides o f the piston.

n the constructionillustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings, besides the closing means .or spring, and arrangement -of parts here-v at its endsin disks 75. These disks are suit- I ably apertured to receive the tube ends, and are fitted against the ends of the cylinder or horizontal portion of the casing, while the tube is provided near each end with an aperture 7 6 through which the Huid will escape during the opposite movements of the piston. ln cach instance the initial or primary. cushion will be effective until after the duct or aperture leading into the by# pass, or, the lbypass` itself, lis closed and thereafterthe second l"orlpositive cushion Wlll be effective, the de ee of resistance oiferedand the length o? duration thereof dependlng' upon the adjustment of the stroke of the piston as hereinbefore fully explained.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood, and that further descrlptlon will be unnecessary, but it will be observed that in each instance that the piston which is adjustable through the medium of the adjustable link` of the leverarm andwhich acts as a checking means in association with the fluid in the' cylinder, due to the alternate forcing of the Huid to opposite ends of the cylinder and compressing of the same thereat, acts as a valve in cooperating with the bypass or passage either' in the casing at the cylinder or thus opening or shutting .I

stance, in the forward movement of the pisi ton, the eect of the primary ycushion will be brought into operation and continue in full force until the piston closes the duct or aperture leading into the by-pass or passageway, and thereafter, the positive cushion will be brought into action and be effective. The degree of resistance, time and speed of the primary cushion formed at the initial or first part ofthe piston stroke in its forward movement will depend entirely upon how much the bypass is closed by the regulation of the physically working or loperative valve or if no valve is employed.

how small the hole for the fluid to pass is, when forced'through by the piston. The second or positive cushion is brought into full action when the piston passes over and closes the hole, duct or bypass at or near the end of its stroke and the length, time and speed of said cushion will depend absolutely on the adjustment of the piston by the arc swung by the spindle through its connections.

Having thus described my invention, what claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America is -1. Adoor check comprising a fluid chamber, a piston in said chamber, means for operating the piston, a passageway communieating with the chamber at opposite sldes of the plston, and means'excluslve of physical valves including the Piston Serving a valve for automatically controlling the flow of fluid through said passageway and adapted to close the latter near the end of its stroke to produce a plurality of cushions, one being a short positive cushion active adjacent the latching point of the door.

2. A door check and closer 1 comprising a liquid chamber, a piston in said chamber, a passageway communicating with the chamber at opposite sides of the piston, means for operating the piston, said piston forming a valve to open and positively close said passageway during 1ts reciprocation near the end of its stroke adjacent the outer end of the cylinder, to produce a relatively long primary cushion and thereafter, a relatlvely short positive cushion, and means for addiand spindle.

4. In a door check and closer, the combination with a hinged door; of a cushioning device comprising a casing having two chambers, a spring chamber having a spring therein, a fluid chamber having constructed inthe wall thereof, a' duct or passageway running parallel thereof and having openings therein communicating with the interior of the chamber at opposite sides of the fluid chamber, a piston in said fluid chamber and provided with a plurality of valved port openings, adapted to permit -free rearward movement of the piston, a spindle extending through said chambers and having operative connection with said plston, a lever arm on the upper end of the spindle and adapted as a connecting means, one of the port openings being in the top of the piston, said piston being adapted in its forward movement to close said openings at opposite ends of the passageway to entirely cutoff the escape of the iuid momentarily midway of and near the end of its stroke to produce a plurality of cushions and for automatically releasin the last' cushion at or near the end of the plston stroke, the rst cushion being a positive cushion having suiicient density to resist the pressure of the spring at its initial movement, the second cushion being a graduated primary cushion to permit freer closing of the door, and the third cushion being a short positive cushion operative during the minor portion of the closlng movement of the door and having sufficient density and resistance to resist the action of and pressure of the spring in the final closing, and means to automatically release the last cushion whereby the pressure of the cushion and spring will be suddenly released and the \door will closel with the piston, said connection including a tween the crank-arm and the piston, a passageway establishing communication between opposite ends of the cylinder and at times,

at opposite sides of the piston, said piston spindle having a crank-arm and a link bemoving over the 'passageway near the end of its stroke to produce a positive cushion operative at the last minor portion of the stroke and closing movement ofthe door or the like and means for adjusting. the stroke of the piston while maintaining the parts in operative connection.

6. Ina device of the class described, a cylinder, a piston operable in said cylinder, a movable part having operative connection with the piston, said-connection including a spindle having a crank-arm and a link between the crank-arm and the piston, a passageway establishing communication between opposite ends of the cylinder, said passage- -way having a port adapted to be closed overby the piston near the end of its stroke to produce a short positive cushion, and closing means for putting the piston and checking mechanism of which the piston forms a part, into play.

7. In a device of the class described, a closing means, a checking mechanism, said checking mechanism comprising a cylinder, a piston operable in said cylinder, a movable part having operative connection with the piston, saidconnection including a spindle having a crank-arm and a link between the crank-arm and piston, a passageway establishing communication between the opposite ends of the cylinder, said passageway having a port adapted to be closed over by said piston during the first part of the movement of the latter and then open the same to produce a cushion during lthe swinging of the door to a point in close proximity to a latching position, to initially check the closing of the door and to produce a 'short positive checking cushion thereafter, and means for adjusting the stroke of the piston to shorten or lengthen the positive cushion and regulate lthe time of effective action ofthe positive produce a cushion during the swingingof the door to a point in close proximity to a latching position, to initially check theclosing of the door and thereafter a positive cushion of sufficient density to permit the tension of the spring or operating means for the piston to push the piston throughl the same, but such as to Agive a gradual posltive checkin@ of the movement of the door adj acent and prior to the latching point or closing so as to ypermit the same to close with precision but without noise or jar means for closing the door.

9. door closer and check comprising a fluid chamber, a piston in said chamber, a passageway communicating with the chamber at opposite sides of the piston, and means for operating the piston, said piston forming a valve to close the passageway at or near the end of its forward stroke to positively cut off the escape of the fluid through the passageway, whereby to produce a plurality of cushions, one of which is a short positive cushion.

l0. A door closer and check comprising a fluid chamber, a piston operating in said chamber, a passageway or bypass communicating with the chamber at 'opposite ysides of the piston and through which said fluld is adapted to pass, a spring-actuated spindle, said piston cooperating with the passageway to cut off the same at or near the end of the piston stroke spaced from the end of the chamber, means to adjust the stroke of the piston to move beyond the dead center atv said end to produceia release and operative connections between the piston and spindle. 11. In a door closer and check, the combination with a hinged door;V of a cushioning device comprising a cylinder, a piston operating therein, a spindle operating therewith,

means establishing valved communications with the interior of the cylinder at opposite sides of the piston to permit free rearwardmovement thereof and check the forward movement thereof, comprising a duct or bypass communicating at opposite sides of the piston, and means cooperating with the duct and piston during the forward movement thereof whereby said piston will close the' duct and produce a plurality of distinct and independent cushions successively and automatically independent of manually operable means. one of said cushions being operative, while the duct is closed near the end of the piston stroke, said cushion being positive and of increased density to the end of the 4piston stroke and -while said piston is moving through approximately (fg) one-sixteenth of an inch of the final movement of the piston. l e

12. In a door check and closerthecombination with a closing means and a checking mechanism having a piston; vof means including a piston in connection therewith operatively, a passageway communicating at opposite sides of the piston, and means automatically for absolutely closing said passageway by the piston in its forward movement at or near the end of its stroke while the door is closing, whereby to produce a plurality of distinct and independent cushions without the interposition of mechanical manually operative means, the last one of which isla short positive cushion of such density as to be capable of control as to length.

13. In a door check and closer, the combination with a closing means and a checking mechanism having a spindle; of a piston in operative connection therewith, a passageway communicating at opposite sides of the piston and adapted to automatically close said passageway on its forward movement, whereby to produce a plurality of distinct cushions automatically, the escape being substantially totally cut olf near the -end of the stroke, one of said'cushions at least being positive. cushion operative near the end of Y the stroke and during the last 30 degrees 90 swing of the door, and there being a primary cushion..

14. In a door check and closer, the combination with a closing means and a checking mechanism having a cushion; of means capable of producing two distinct independent cushions continuously, therst one of said cushions being a primary cushion and the second a positive cushion, and an operating valve for controlling and regulating said primarycushion, and also means of controlling and regulating` the length of the second or positive cushion by the spindle of the mechanism through the medium of the associated parts thereof.

,15. A'door check and closer comprising a cylinder adapted to contain a Huid, a piston operating in said cylinder and providedl with a spindle in operative connection therewith, there being a bypass communicating at opposite sides of the piston, a physically operating valve controlling said bypass to regulate the same whereby the piston and said bypass will produce a relatively constant primary cushion during its initial or the greater part of its action in its-forward movement and a positive cushion thereafter, and means through the medium of the spindle to regulate and control the length of' v the last part of the piston stroke at or near the limit of its movement.

16. A door check and closer comprising the combination with a closing means and a checking mechanism having a piston; of means including a spindle operatively connected therewith, a bypass, s'aid bypass communicating at opposite sides of the piston, means automatically for closing said bypass by the piston, whereby to produce automatically a plurality of distinct and separated divided into two chambers, a spring cham.

capable of minute control.

17. In a door check and closer, a casing ber and a fluid chamber, a spring in the spring chamber and a piston in the other cham e the spring to-cause the actuation of thel piston, a bypass, a manually working valve assoc'iated in the mechanism controlling saidl bypasswhereb to produce in the forward movement of t e piston as the piston passes over the bypass near the end of its stroke a plurality of cushions, the -last one of said cushions having ,such resistance and density as to be capable of minute control as to'time, length and speed, said cushion being brought into action automaticallyat-or near the end ofthe piston stroke.

18. In a door check and closer, the combination with a closing means and acheoking mechanism having a fluid chamber and a spindle, and a piston operatively connect.- ed .thereto in said chamber; of means for establishing a lurality of valved passageways in the uid chamber, between the spaces at opposite sides of the piston, means for manually vcontrolling one of said valved passageways whereby in cooperation with the piston at or near the end ofl its stroke in its forward action it will produce a plu.- rality of cushions, one of said cushions having sulicient resistance and density to be minutely regulated and controlled, and means of regulating and controlling said plurality of cushions independently of each other.

19. In a door check and closer, a `casing divided into two chambers, a spring chamber and a piston chamber, a spindle jour- .naled to extend through said chambers and having adjustable connection with a part to. be operated, there being a plurality of pas-l sageways communicating with opposite Sides of the piston chamber, a piston in the piston chamber and operatively connected with the spindle, a physically controlled valve controlling one of said passageways spaced from ,the end of the piston chamber, the said chamber being imperforate beyond the passageway, said piston moving over said passageway whereby to produce a plurality of successive independent cushions during the forward movement of the piston, one of said cushions being short and offering gradually increased and relatively positive resistance to the movement of the piston so as to prevent slamming of the door, but with subsequent slight escape of the iuid exclusively between the piston and the 'casing during the operation of the -last cushion.

20. In a door check and closer, the combinationi r having operative connection with` -means cooperating with the including a spindle in operative connection therewith',A a bypass communicating at opposide sides of the piston, said piston serving to absolutely close said bypass whereby to produce a 4pluralit of distinct and independent cushions, t e last one of said cushions being positive and having means automatically independent of physical adjustment of being' controlled.

21. In a door check and closer, the combination with a hinged door and cushioning devlce comprising a c linder, a piston operating thereln, aspind e operating therewith, means establishing valved communication at opposite sides of the piston to permit free rearward .movement thereof and check the forward' movement thereof, a bypass com-l Inunicating with the interior of the cylinder at opposite sides ofthe piston, a manually operating valve to control said bypass, and

iston during the forward movement thereof) near the end of its stroke, whereby the piston will close completely the valved bypass and produce successively a plurality of separated and independent cushions, a long primary and a short positive, andmeans through the medium of the valved bypass to regulate and control the length and time of the closing .action of the prima cushion without affecting the other cus ion, the positive, the slightest degree.

v22. In a door check and closer, the combination with a hinged door; of a cushioning device comprising a cylinder, a piston operating therein, a spindl'e operating therewith, means of establishing valve communication at opposite sides of the piston to permit free rearward movement thereof and check the forward movement thereafter, a bypass communicating with the interior of the cylinder at opposite sides of the piston, a manually operating valve controlling said bypass, and means cooperating with the piston during the forward movement thereof whereby the piston will close completely the valved bypass opening and produce successively a plurality of separated and independentv cushions, a-primary and a positive cushion, and means through the medium of the spindle, piston and valved bypass opening to regulate and control the length and time of the closing action of the positive cushion without perceptibly affecting the primary cushion.

' 23. A door check and closer comprising" U a 'closing means and a checkl111g mechanlsm having a piston; of means nutely regulating the fluid passing therethrough, a piston in said fluid chamber,

and a link pivotally connected thereto at one end and yat the other end to the piston, and means to rotate said spindle whereby the piston will move over the bypass to produce in its forward movement, a plurality of independent and distinct cushions, one of which is positive. A

24. A door check and closer comprising a casing with two separate chambers, a spring chamber and a fluid chamber, a bypass constructed in the outer. wall of said chamber last-named, a physically operating valve for minutely regulating and controlling the Huid passing through said bypass, a pistoniin said fluid chamber, said piston being provided with a valved port having communication yat opposite sides of the chamber last-named, a spindle in said iluid chamber, said spindle bein` provided with a crank arm at one end and a lever arm at the other end, said crank arm being provided with a link, said link being pivotally connected at one end to said crank arm and at the other end pivotally connected to said piston, a forked section having adjustable connection with said lever arm, said forked section being provided with an adjustable link, means provided for revolubly attach-l ing said link to a stationary part, and means of adjusting said link and its jointly working member longitudinally with respect to each other while resisting the closing means to move the lever arm, whereby. displacement of the section is obviated.

25. In a door check and closer, the combination with a closing lmeans and a checking mechanism including a lever-arm of an adjustable link having permanent connection with the extremity of said arm at one end and at the other end for rotation, a stationary part with which said link is connected for rotation bodily on its longitudinal axis at its attachin point, and. means coacting between the link and stationary part to prevent said turning of the link while permitting swinging pivotal movement thereof.

26. In a door closer and check, the combination with a closing means and a checking mechanism including a lever-arm; of an adjustable link having pivotal connectlon with the arm, said link comprising a fork having a threaded bore, and a threaded section engaged therewith, a bracket adapted for connection with a vstationary part or 'door and to which said threaded section is turnably connected for rotation on its longitudinal axis to adjust the length of the link, said bracket and threaded section having a ball and socket connection, said connection being releasable, and means between the bracket and section to hold the latter from turning as aforesaid, said means being disengageable.

In testimony whereof, I. affix my signature, in the vpresence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. BRYON. Witnesses:

FRANK E. DAvms, DAVID T. SMITH. 

